Strand distributor



E. W. KRIETE ETAL June 21, 1966 STRAND DISTRIBUTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed April 23, 1964 S N/ E m W E G. C. SCHEHLE/N S. WRIGHT B) j A 7'TORNEV June 1966 E. w. KRIE TE ETAL STRAND DISTRIBUTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed April 23, 1964 FIG. 4

FIG. 5

June 21, 1966 E. w. KRIETE ETAL STRAND DISTRIBUTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed April 23, 1964 United States Patent ice 3,257,087 STRANDDISTRIBUTOR Edward W. Kriete, Gordon C. Schelilein, and Samuel Wright,Baltimore, Md., assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, NewYork, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 23, 1964, Ser. No.361,984 11 Claims. (Cl. 242158.4)

-This invention relates to a device for distributing a strand on a reeland particularly to a device for automatically distributing a strand ona reel.

Generally, in manufacturing operations, a strand leaves themanufacturing line at a relatively constant speed. If a take-up reel isrotated at a constant rate of speed, the rate at which the strand istaken up on the reel will increase as additional layers of the strandare taken up on the-reel. Therefore, in order to take up the strand at aconstant line speed, a torque motor is generally utilized to rotate thereel to maintain a constant tension on the strand and reduces the speedof the reel as additional layers are taken up on the reel.

For each revolution of the reel, a distributor should be moved axiallyof the reel a distance equal to approximately the'diameter of thestrand. The slower the reel rotates, the longer ittakes for the reel tocomplete a revolution. Thus, to properly distribute a strand on thereel, it is necessary to change the rate at which the distributortraverses the reel in response to changes in the rate at which the reelis rotated. Further, the rate at which the distributor is displacedrelative to the reel must be varied to compensate for changes indiameter of the strand in order to properly distribute the strand on thereel.

As the distributor traverses the reel, it is necessary to stop thedistributor when the strand reaches a flange of the reel. Rather thanimmediately reversing the distributor, it is desirable for thedistributor to dwell substantially one revolution of the reel to lay thestrand against the flange of the reel. This reduces the length of thegap between the strand and the flange. Too long of a gap is disruptiveto the'distribution of'subsequent layers on the reel. In order to regainthe desired helix of the convolutioris on the reel, it is necessary tomove the distributor at a slightly faster rate of speed than the normalspeed of reciprocation of the distributor for a predetermined number ofrevolutions of the reel before returning to the normal distributingrate.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide facilitiesresponsive to the diameter of the strand and the build up of strandularmaterial on the reel for controlling therate of speed at which adistributor traverses the reel.

Another object of the invention is to provide facilities responsive tothe diameter of the strand, the build up of strandular material on thereel and the position ofthe strand on a reel for controlling the speedand direction of the distributor relative to the reel.

, to control the rate of speed at which a distributor traverses the reelto properly distribute the strand on the reel.

3,257,087 Patented June 21, 1966 Facilitiesare also provided which areresponsive to the position of the strand on the reel for stopping thedistributor for a predetermined dwell period, reversing the direction inwhich the distributor traverses the reel, and correcting the helix ofthe strand on the reel.

A more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained byconsideration of the following drawings and detailed description,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device incorporating the principles ofthe instantinvention;

FIG. 2 is taken from FIG. 1 and shows an enlarged view of a portion ofthe reel;

FIG. 3 is the same view as FIG. 2 illustrating an operational sequence;

FIG. 4 is the same view as FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating a furtheroperational sequence;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along lines 5-5 ofFIG. 1, and

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic of a control circuit for the instantdevice.

In FIG. 1, a reel generally indicated by reference numeral 10 is rotatedby a constant-torque type motor 11 for taking up strand 12 at arelatively constant rate of speed. Guide 13 supports distributor 14 sothat distributor 14 will traverse the reel 10 along a line generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the reel 10. The distributor 14 isdisplaced on the guide 13 by traversing screw 15. Traversing screw 15 isdriven by reversible motor 16 through gear reduction box 17. Thedirection in which the reversible motor 16 is operated determines thedirection in which the distributor 14 is moved axially of the reel 10.

A shoe 18 is positioned adjacent flange 19 of the reel 10 and a shoe 20is positioned adjacent to the flange 21 of the reel. The shoes 18 and 20are supported respectively on arms 22 and 23. The arms 22 and 23 arefixedly mounted on and secured to a shaft 24. The shaft 24 is mounted inany conventional manner (not shown) for rotation about its longitudinalaxis. As layers of the strand 12 build up on the reel 10, the shoes 18and 20 will ride on top of the layers to rotate the shaft 24 about itslongitudinal axis in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1.

As seen in FIG. 2, the shoe 18 is pivotally mounted to the arm 22 andcarries a mercury switch 30 thereon. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the shoe18 is resting on a layer 31 of the strand 12 and a layer 32 is beingdistributed on the reel 10 towards flange 19.

As seen in FIG. 3, the layer 32 has reached the shoe 18. Due to theangled portion 33 of the shoe 18, the shoe 18 rides up over layer 32permitting layer 32 to pass underneath the shoe 18. As seen in FIG. 4,the strand 12 has reached the flange 19 and has started a new layer 340mthe reel. This pivots the shoe 18 in a clockwise direction.

Due to the manner in which the mercury switch 30 is carried on the shoe18, the switch 30 is actuated only when the shoe 18 is pivoted in aclockwise direction. As seen in FIG. 1, the shoe 20 is mounted in asimilar fashion as shoe 18 and also carries a mercury switch 35.However, the mercury switch 35 is actuated when the shoe 20 is pivotedin a counterclockwise direction.

As seen in FIG. 1, the shaft 24 actuates a rheostat 36. As the shoes 18and 20 move upwardlyv on top of addia tional layers of the strand 12,rheostat 36 is advanced to decrease its resistance. In FIG. guides 37and 38 of the distributor 14 are illustrated as being spring biasedtowards each other. As guides 37 and 38 are advanced towards each otherwhen the diameter of the strand 12 decreases, rheostat 39 is actuated todecrease its resistance. On the other hand, as guides 37 and 38 moveaway from each other when the diameter. of the strand 12 increases, therheostat 39 is actuated to increase its resistance.

The reel is rotated on the shaft 40 by the constant torque motor 11.Counters 41 and 42 also ride on the shaft 40 and when actuated areresponsive to rotation of the shaft 40 to detect and count therevolutions of the reel 10.

The electrical schematic of FIG. 6 will now be described in detail.Switches 45 and 46 are normally closed as shown. This energizes relay 47to close switches 48 and 49 as shown. With switches 48 and 49 closed,reversible motor 16 is actuated to displace the distributor 14 to theleft as illustrated in FIG. 1. When the strand 12 reaches the flange 19and starts the new layer 34, mercury switch is actuated to activaterelays 50 and 51. Relays 50 and 52 are mechanically interlocked and uponrelay 50 being electrically activated by switch 30, relay 52 ismechanically actuated by relay 50 to open switch 46. Relay 50 alsocloses switch 53 to energize relay 54.

Relay 50 is deactivated when mercury switch 30 opens but switch53'remains closed untilrelay 52 is actuated by mercury switch closing.Upon switch 46 opening, relay 47 is deactivated to open switches 48 and49. Upon relay 54 being activated, switches 55 and 56 are closed. Thisdirects current to reversible motor 16 in the opposite direction toreverse the motor 16. However, the motor 16 is not reversed at thispoint but is stopped, as will be described infra.

Relay 51 closes switches 57 and 58 to energize counters 41 and 42,respectively. Counter 41 activates relay 61 to open switch and closeswitch 62. The opening of switch 45 delays the operation of relay 54 andleaves switches 48, 49, 55 and 56 open so that the motor 16 will stop.When switch 62 closes, the counter 41 is locked into the circuit.Counter 41 deactivates relay 61 after the reel 10 has made substantiallyone full revolution. This closes switch 45 to start the distributor 14back across the reel and opens switch 62 to deactivate and reset counter41.

Switch 58 upon closing activates counter 42 which in turn activatesrelay 63. Relay 63 closes switches 64 and 65 and opens switch 66. Switch64 locks the counter 42 into the circuit until relay 63 is deactivated.By opening switch 66 and closing switch 65, resistance 67 is insertedinto the circuit of the field coil 68. This weakens the field of thereversible motor 16 to increase its speed. Thus, upon switch 45 closingto actuate motor 16, the distributor 14 will move away from the flange19 of the reel at a faster rate of speed until the counter 42deactivates relay 63. Counter 42 detects the revolutions of the reel 10and after the reel has rotated a sulficient number of revolutions tocorrect the helix of the convolutions on the reel, the counter- 42deactivates relay 63 to remove resistance 67 from the circuit. Thenumber of revolutions necessary to correct the helix of the strand onthe reel is preset on the counter 42.

As may be more clearly seen in FIG. 1, the distributor 14 is displacedto the right until the strand 12 reaches the flange 21. When the strand12 starts a new layer at flange 21, mercury switch 35 is actuated toenergize relays 52 and 68. Relay 52 closes switch 46 and mechanicallyactuates relay to open switch 53. Relay 68 closes switches 69 and 70 toactivate counters 41 and 42. Counter 41 controls the dwell period of thedistributor 14 as discussed supra and counter 42 controls the speed ofthe distributor 14 coming away from the flange 22 as described supra.Switches and 56 are opened and distributor 14 traverses the reel 10.

'Rheostats 36 and 39 are inserted in series with the generatortachometer 71. Speed regulator 72 receives current from three-phase A.C.source 73. The speed regulator 72 regulates the field current of coil 74of DC. generator 75. The DC. generator 75 is driven by a threephase AC.motor 76. As the input current from the generator tachometer 71 to thespeed regultaor 72 is increased, the field current in coil 74 willdecrease; and as the input signal to the speed regulator 72 isdecreased, the field current in the coil 74 will increase.

D.C. generator 75 supplies current to the reversible motor 16. Thus, asthe current in coil 74 increases, the current to distributor motor 16will increase to increase its speed; and when the current in coil 74decreases, the current to motor 16 will decrease to decrease its speed.

As the shoes 18 and 20 are lifted by new layers of the strand beingplaced on the reel 10, the resistance of rheostat 36 is decreased toincrease the input to speed control 72. This in turn decreases thecurrent in field coil 68 and, therefore, to motor 16 to decrease therate at which the distributor 14 traverses the reel 10. As the diameterof the strand decreases, the resistance of rheostat 39 is decreased toincrease the input to speed control 72. This in turn decreases the inputto field coil 68 and, therefore, to motor 16 to decrease the rate atwhich the In a like manner, an increase in the diameter of the strandwill increase the rate at which the distributor 14 traverses the reel10. In this manner, the traversal rate of the distributor 14 iscontrolled to properly distribute the strand on the reel.

It is to be understood that many changes can be made in elemental partsand their arrangement without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Any suitable conventional speed regulator, counter,reversible motor, AC. motor, DC. motor or generator tachometer maybeused as will be understood by one skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for distributing a strand on a reel, com prising:

a strand distributor mounted for reciprocal movement transverse to thereel,

a driving means for reciprocating the strand distributor at apredetermined rate of speed,

means continuously responsive to changes in the diameter of the strandbeing distributed on the reel for controlling the driving means tocontrol the rate at which the distributor traverses the reel, and

means actuated by'the strand starting a new layer at either flange ofthe reel for stopping the strand distributor for a predetermined dwellperiod, reversing the direction of travel of the strand distributor andmoving the strand distributor at an increased rate of speed relative tothe predetermined rate of speed for a predetermined interval of time tocorrect the helix of the strand on the reel.

2. A device for distributing a strand on a reel, comprising:

a strand distributor mounted for reciprocal movement transverse to thereel,

a driving means for reciprocating the strand distributor at apredetermined rate of speed,

means continuously responsive to changes in the diameter of the strandbeing distributed on the reel for controlling the driving means tocontrol the rate at which the distributor traverses the reel,

a first shoe pivotally mounted adjacent one flange of the reel to freelyride upon convolutions of the strand taken up on the reel, the firstshoe pivoting in one direction to ride up over a new layer of the strandapproaching the first shoe and pivoting in the opposide direction when anew layer is started at the flange adjacent the first shoe,

a second shoe pivotally mounted adjacent the other flange to freely rideupon convolutions of the strand taken up on the reel, the second shoepivoting in one direction to ride up over a new layer of the strandapproaching the second shoe and pivoting in the opposite direction whena new layer is started at the flange adjacent the second shoe, and

means actuated only when either shoe is pivoted as a 3. A device fordistributing a strand on a reel, comprising:

adjacent the first shoe, j a second shoe pivotally mounted adjacent oneI i the reel to freely ride upon convolutions of the strand a stranddistributor mounted for reciprocal movement transverse to the reel,

a driving means for reciprocating the strand distributor at apredetermined rate of speed,

two mutually opposed guides carried by the strand distributor andcontinuously urged towards each other I and against the strand forguiding the strand on the reel as the strand distributor traverse thereel,

means responsive to the distance betwen the two guides for controllingthe driving means to control the rate at which the distributor traversesthe reel,

a first shoe pivotally mounted adjacent one flange of the i reeltotreely ride upon convolutions of the strand taken up on the reel, thefirst shoe pivoting in one direction to ride up over a new layer of thestrand approaching the first shoe and pivoting in the opposite directionwhen a new layer is started at the flange flange of taken up on thereel, the second shoe pivoting in one direction to ride up over a newlayer of the strand approaching the second shoe and pivoting in theopposite direction when a new layer is started at the q flange adjacentthe first shoe, and .means actuated only when eithes shoe is pivoted asa new layer is started at the shoes adjacent flange for stopping thestrand distributor for a predetermined I dwell period, reversing thedirection of the strand distributor and moving the strand distributor ata faster rate of speed relative to the predetermined rate of speed for apredetermined interval of time to correct the helix of the strand on thereel.

A device for distributing a strand on a reel, comprising:

a strand distributor mounted for reciprocal movement transverse to thereel,

a driving means for reciprocating the strand distributor .at apredetermined rate of speed,

means responsive to the build up of strandular material on the reel forcontrolling the driving means to control the rate at which the stranddistributor tra-' verses the reel, and

' means actuated by the strand starting a new layer at either flange ofthe reel for stopping the strand distributor for a predetermined dwellperiod, reversing the direction of travel of the strand distributor andmoving the strand distributor at an increased rate of speed relative tothepredetermined rate of speed for a predetermined interval of time tocorrect the helix of the strand on the reel.

5. A device for distributing a strand on a reel, comprising:

a strand distributor mounted for reciprocal movement transverse to thereel,

a driving means for reciprocating the strand distributor at apredetermined rate of speed,

means responsive to the build up of strandular material on the reel forcontrolling the driving means to control the rate at which the stranddistributor traverses the reel,

a first shoe pivotally mounted adjacent one flange of the reel to freelyride upon convolutions of the strand taken up on the reel, the firstshoe pivoting in one direction to ride up over a new layer of the strandapproaching the first shoe and pivoting in the opposide direction when anew layer is started at the flange adjacent the first shoe,

a second shoe pivotally mounted adjacent the other flange of the reel tofreely ride upon convolutions of the strand taken up on the reel, thesecond shoe pivoting in one direction to ride up over a new layer of thestrand approaching the second shoe and pivoting in the oppositedirection when a new layer is started at the flange adjacent the secondshoe, and

means actuated only when either shoe is pivoted as a new layer isstarted at the shoes adjacent flange for stopping the strand distributorfor a predetermined dwell period, reversing the direction of travel ofthe strand distributor, and moving the strand distributor at anincreased rate of speed relative to the predetermined rate of speed fora predetermined interval of time to correct the helix of the strand onthe reel.

6 A device for distributing a strand on a reel, comprislng:

a strand distributor mounted for movement transverse to the reel,

a driving means for reciprocating the strand distributor at apredetermined rate of speed,

a first shoe pivotally mounted adjacent one flange of the reel to freelyride upon convolutions of the strand taken up on the reel, the firstshoe pivoting in one direction to ride up over a new layer of the strandapproaching the first shoe :and pivoting in the opposite direction whena new layer is started at the flange adjacent the first shoe,

a second shoe pivotally mounted adjacent one flange of the reel tofreely ride upon convolutions of the strand taken up on the reel, thesecond shoe pivoting in one direction to ride up over a new layer of thestrand approaching the second shoe and pivoting in the oppositedirection when a new layer is started at the flange adjacent the secondshoe,

means responsive to either shoe riding up over a new layer forcontrolling the driving means to control the rate at which the stranddistributor traverses the reel, and

means actuated only when either shoe is pivoted as a new layer isstarted at the shoes adjacent flange for stopping the strand distributorfor a predetermined dwell period, reversing the direction of travel ofthe strand distributor, and moving the strand distributor at anincreased rate of speed relative to the predetermined rate of speed fora predetermined interval of time to correct the helix of the strand onthe reel.

7. A device for distributing a strand on a reel, comprising:

a strand distributor mounted to the reel,

a driving means for reciprocating the strand distributor at apredetermined rate of speed,

a first arm pivotally mounted at" one end,

a first shoe pivotally mounted at the free end of the first arm adjacentone flange of the reel to freely for movement transverse a second armpivotally mounted at one end, the first and second arms pivoting abouttheir pivotally mounted end when either arm is so pivoted,

a second shoe pivotally mounted at the free end of the second armadjacent the other flange of the reel to freely ride upon convolutionsof the strand taken up on the reel, the second shoe pivoting in onedimotion to ride up over a new layer approaching the second shoe and inthe opposite direction when a new layer is started at the flangeadjacent the second shoe, the second arm pivoting about its pivotallymounted end as the second shoe rides up on a new layer of the strand,

means responsive to pivotal movement of the first and second arms abouttheir pivotally mounted end for controlling the driving means to controlthe rate at which the strand distributor traverses the reel, and

means actuated only when either shoe is pivoted in response to a newlayer starting at the shoes adjacent flange for stopping the stranddistributor for a predetermined dwell period, reversing the direction oftravel of the strand distributor, and moving the strand distributor atan increased rate of speed relative to the predetermined rate of speedfor a predetermined interval of time to correct the helix of the strandon the reel.

8. A device for distributing a strand on a reel, comprising:

means for sensing the build up of strandular material on the reel,

means for continuously sensing the diameter of the strand, and

means responsive to the means for sensing the build up of strandularmaterial on the reel and the means for continuously sensing the diameterof the strand for controlling the driving means to control the rate atwhich the strand distributor traverses the reel.

9. A device for distributing a strand on a reel, comprising:

a strand distributor mounted for reciprocal movement transverse to thereel.

a driving means for reciprocating the strand distributor at apredetermined rate of speed,

a first arm pivotally mounted at one end,

a first shoe pivotally mounted at the free end of the v first armadjacent one flange of the reel to freely ride upon convolutions of thestrand taken up on the reel, the first shoe pivoting in one direction toride up over a new layer approaching the first shoe and in the oppositedirection when a new layer is started at the flange adjacent the firstshoe, the first arm pivoting about its pivotally mounted end as thefirst shoe rides up on a new layer of the strand,

a second arm pivotally mounted at one end, the first and second armspivoting about their pivotally mounted end when either arm is sopivoted,

a second shoe pivotally mounted at the free end of the second armadjacent the other flange of the reel to freely ride upon convolutionsof the strand taken up on the reel, the second shoe pivoting in onedirection to ride up over a new layer approaching the second shoe and inthe opposite direction when a new layer is started at the flangeadjacent the second shoe, the second arm pivoting about its pivotallymounted end as the second shoe rides up on a new layer of the strand,

means actuated only when either shoe is pivoted in response to a newlayer starting at the shoes adjacent flange for stopping the stranddistributor for a predetermined dwell period, reversing the direction oftravel of the strand distributor and moving the strand distributor at afaster rate of speed relative to the predetermined rate of speed for apredetermined interval of time to correct the helix of the strand on thereel,

a first sensing means for detecting pivotal movement of the first andsecond arms about their pivotally mounted end,

two mutually opposed guides carried by the strand distributor andcontinuously urged towards each other and against the strand for guidingthe strand on the reel as the strand distributor traverses the reel,

a second sensing means for detecting the distance between the twoguides, and A means responsive to the first and second sensing meansfor. controlling thedriving means to control the rate at which thestrand distributor traverses the reel.

10. A device for distributing a strand on a reel, comprising:

a strand distributor mounted for reciprocal movement transverse to thereel,

a driving means for reciprocating the strand distributor at apredetermined rate of speed,

a first shoe pivotally mounted adjacent one flange of the reel to freelyride upon convolutions of the strand taken up on the reel, the firstshoe pivoting in one direction to ride up over a new layer of the strandapproaching the first shoe and pivoting in the opposite direction when anew layer is started at the flange adjacent the first shoe,

a second shoe pivotally mounted adjacent the other flange to freely rideupon convolutions of the strand taken up on the reel, the second shoepivoting in one direction to ride up over a new layer of the strandapproaching the second shoe and pivoting in the opposite direction whena new layer is started at the flange adjacent the second shoe, and

means actuated only when either shoe is pivoted as a new layer isstarted at the shoes adjacent flange for stopping the strand distributorfor a predeterminded dwell period, reversing the direction of travel ofthe strand distributor, and moving the strand distributor at anincreased rate of speed relative to the predetermined rate of speed fora predetermined interval of time to correct the helix of the strand onthe reel.

11. A device for distributing a strand on a reel comprising:

a stnand distributor mounted for reciprocal movement transverse to thereel,

a driving means for reciprocating the strand distributor at apredetermined rate of speed,

two shoes pivotally mounted adjacent opposite flanges of the reel tofreely ride upon convolutions of the strand taken up on the reel, eachshoe having a sloped end facing away from its adjacent flange, thesloped portion of each shoe starting at a point at the bottom of theshoe and sloping up to a point at the top of the shoe more remote thanthe point at the bottom of the shoe from its adjacent flange, each shoepivoting in one direction as the sloped portion of the shoe rides upover a new layer-approaching the shoe and pivoting in the oppositedirection when 7 References Cited by the Examiner a new layer is startedat a shoes adjacent flange, UNITED STATES PATENTS a mercury switchmounted on each shoe and actuatd I only when a shoe pivots in responseto the start of 2,660,382 11/ 1953 Wilson 242-158 a new layer at theshoes adjacent flange, and 5 2,900,145 8/1959 Hanson 242-158.2 meansresponsive to actuation of either mercury switch 2,912,187 11/ 1959 Rau,Jr. 242158.4

for stopping the strand distributor for a predetermined dwell period,reversing the direction of travel FOREIGN PATENTS of the stranddistributor and moving the strand distributor at an increased rate ofspeed relative to the 10 836)412 6/1960 Great Bl'ltam predetermined rateof speed for a predetermined interval of time to correct the helix ofthe strand on STANLEY GILREATH Primary Exammer' the reel.

1. A DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTING A STRAND ON A REEL, COMPRISING: A STRANDDISTRIBUTOR MOUNTING FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT TRANSVERSE TO THE REEL, ADRIVING MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING THE STRAND DISTRIBUTOR AT APREDETERMINED RATE OF SPEED, MEANS CONTINUOUSLY RESPONSIVE TO CHANGES INTHE DIAMETER OF THE STRAND BEING DISTRIBUTED ON THE REEL FOR CONTROLLINGTHE DRIVING MEANS TO CONTROL THE RATE OF WHICH THE DISTRIBUTOR TRAVERSESTHE REEL, AND MEANS ACTUATED BY THE STRAND STARTING A NEW LAYER ATEITHER FLANGE OF THE REEL FOR STOPPING THE STRAND DISTRIBUTOR FOR APREDETERMINED DWELL PERIOD, REVERSING THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF THESTRAND DISTRIBUTOR AND